Thursday, November 28, 2013

Hi friends,
I haven't been avoiding you; I have been cocooning and I am ready to come out!
I am so close to achieving my dream of supporting myself through my art. I have been simulating an artist residency in my home/studio; in an effort to revitalize/reinvent my artistic practice. I have found my way to making work that is challenging, exciting and not damaging to my health.

I wanted to do this sooner but I felt like I had to have at least three figurative paintings before I came out as a figurative painter. I thought the big news was going to be me coming out as a landscape painter; but I think there is more I can say by exploring the contradiction of the figure in the landscape. I place the figure into the landscape in a way that calls into question whether they are friend or foe; or maybe I have integrated the figure so well that they become part of the landscape. I don't know, you tell me.
Babies/kids/dogs welcome! We have two friendly kitties.
I have been taking an inventoryand rephotographing older paintings; they are all in a rack, easy to view.
There are many that have not been shown before; and others that have been shown in eastern or western Canada but not Toronto.
See the surfaces: what you miss when you view my work online is the surface; which is an integral part of my work. in have paintings from 2008 that have high gloss reflective surfaces; today's paintings which have an almost paper like finish, matte is my new gloss.
See where the magic happens: my studio is in a live/work loft with lots of big white walls which are great for viewing paintings.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Hi friends,
The title of this post may sound funny; but I have not painted people since I was in school. A few months ago I was painting these small landscapes and thinking about how people shape the land that I am painting and it seemed that the clearest way I could get my ideas across was by painting people.
The landscape takes on new meaning when we put a figure in it; when that figure wears a costume which is discordant with its surroundings it sets up a whole series of questions. In an earlier artist statement I wrote that I wanted my paintings to pose questions rather than answer them; this sentence rings true to my practice now.
I feel like I am coming out of this years long period of transition I have been in. I am excited about making and sharing my new work!
Here are two new paintings:

Monday, October 07, 2013

Happy Monday! I wanted to take a moment to introduce my
newest gallery and give a shout out to some that have supported my work for
years.

Last Friday I dropped off 5 paintings at the amazingly
organized Canvas Gallery. I know how hard it is to keep a gallery well
organized; I am really happy to have my work there and I know it will be
handled well. Many galleries keep their inventory in back rooms where it gets
neglected and/or damaged. Canvas Gallery puts the work out where you can see it
and makes sure that each piece is protected. They represent my fellow Femme
Five Art Collective members Sarah Hillock, Sarah Tacoma and Suzanne Ernst; as
well as many other emerging and mid-career artists. I feel I am in good
company.

I had a great studio visit in the summer with Canvas owner Megan; she was
thoughtful and engaged and really took the time to understand my work. I love
working with galleries that see art as more than just inventory and who respect
all of the thinking that goes into making it. Megan works with her husband Mark
and their team. I love to work with a family business; there is none of the
entitlement one finds in galleries in trendy neighbourhoods. I have learned that finding the right gallery is not about real estate but about relationships.

I am happy to be represented by another family business: RumiGalleries in Port Credit. Joseph and I have brilliant talks about how I make my
work and why every time he visits my studio. I feel great sending my work off
to his gallery. While many art dealers demand an artist produce consistent work, (translation: churn out product) Joseph has shown my abstract
paintings and my lichen photography as well as my current egg tempera work. He supports my artistic growth and development. Joseph
will have some of my new work at Art Toronto this year; look for him if you are
there.

Another strong supporter of my work is Deborah at Sopa FineArts in Kelowna BC. Deborah started her business representing her husband;
respected artist Alan Boileau. Many years later she has an impressive stable of leading
contemporary artists; I know my work is in good company as well as in good
hands. Deborah is eloquent and knowledgeable; it is always a pleasure to speak
with her.

I am fortunate to work on a commission basis with Tatar Art Projects Toronto, James Robertson Art Consultant Toronto/London, Fresh Paint Art Advisers Culver City and Soho Myriad Atlanta/Los Angeles/London. I love working on a wide variety of projects.

Some of the thinking behind the re-design of my site.

Paintings: where you will find the paintings coming out of
my studio. I like to see the work together in one place because it often gets sent to many places. You will notice that some paintings are available on my website and
some are available at galleries. My galleries are my partners; they support me
and make it possible for me to do the work that I do. I have a good selection
of work at these three galleries please feel free to contact them about
specific pieces or visit them if they are in your area.

Purchase Paintings: my online shop where I have paintings which can be viewed in
person; or shipped to you anywhere. I accept credit cards payment at my studio
with my square card reader. Please make an appointment.

Purchase Prints: my new online print shop. I used to get asked often if I made prints of my work
because it cost way more than my friends were able to spend. My canvas works
are specifically made to be experienced in person so I was reluctant to make
reproductions of them as the print would then be a lesser experience than the
original. When I decided to make a set of prints I knew I had to work on paper
since the final product was to be paper. I took up watercolour painting because
of the challenge posed by the paper.

I am selling the 8x8 inch prints on my site only. I want to
keep the cost as low as possible because I hate that look of disappointment on
some people’s faces when I tell them my work is out of their price range.

All of my prints are printed after they are ordered. I work with a high quality local fine art printer who is within walking distance of my studio. I inspect, colour correct, sign, title and edition each one before I package it and ship it.

Everyone should have art; especially if you don't have plants or pets. Art is like brain food.

Shipping: It may be hard for you to imagine how I could take my hand
made art work and ship it out into the world. I work with companies I trust. I
have had plenty experience with how art work can get damaged while it is being
shipped and have talked to lots of artists and shippers about how to package
art so it arrives safely. If you have any questions about how I ship my work or
if you want a customized shipping quote get in touch.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

Monday, September 30, 2013

I like to travel without expectations. I knew that Detroit had gone bankrupt; I knew it had been built for several million people and it was now populated by about 250 thousand. I went with my friend and collaborator Sarah for just two days last week. We went looking for the local art scene and we went to explore abandoned architecture.

We had read about the downfall, the revitalization, the urban farming, and of course those abandoned buildings.

Here is what I observed:

Income disparity is evident everywhere. The subway only has 2 cars. The streets are wide and very empty.

The street lights are not on everywhere at night.

GM waters its extensive lawns and casinos light up the skyline in a city where the street lights are not all on at night.

We did not see a single grocery store; the downtown drug store had a caged attendant.

The ubiquitous "Cheks/Liquor/Pizza" mini mall glowing in the night was the hub of activity in many neighbourhoods.

There are whole neighbourhoods where most houses are gone; in the remaining lots there is farming, art installations and land gone fallow, the crickets are loud and cars are few. People are friendly, we asked the locals what to see, where to eat, and what to watch out for.

We left wanting to stay longer; wanting to explore more. Here is a small selection of the many photos I took.

Michigan Ave: three lanes each direction.

Downtown from certain angles looks like any other city.

Michigan Central Station: Our first stop as it dominates the horizon; surrounded by barbed wire, guarded by police.

About Me

I live and work in the Junction Triangle
in Toronto with my partner and our two tabbies in a commercial style loft. I grow
experimental plants without
pots to explore the components of life first hand and post about it on myblog. My artwork can be found at aleksrdest.com Please contact me
if you would like to arrange to view my work in person. I love meeting people
interested in my work.

Commissions

I have worked with designers,
art consultants, and individuals to create custom artwork for a variety of
public and private spaces. I enjoy the collaborative process. If you have a
vision or a desire; and you think my style would complete it, get in touch.